A renal diet is very important, especially to those who are suffering from chronic renal diseases. Kidneys help your body because they eliminate all toxins and the extra liquid. If people who have chronic renal diseases have a balanced diet, they could slow down the deterioration of their kidneys.
The main purpose of the renal diet is to maintain a healthy body. The renal diet is unique for each patient. A professional nutritionist creates a renal diet taking into consideration the patient’s needs. But a renal diet has some general rules that apply to all patients.
Main rules of the renal diet
1. A renal diet maintains a balance of the quantity of phosphorus and proteins consumed by renal patients.
2. During a renal diet, you have to pay attention to how much salt you consume.
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3. When you are on a renal diet you have to be careful with how much you eat.
Proteins
The human body requires proteins in order to function properly. Proteins are important for muscle building and for tissue regeneration. After you eat proteins, they will be processed by your body and this is how urea appears. Patients with renal illnesses have problems in eliminating urea. That is why these people have to control their protein intake. You can find proteins in many foods. Here are some of them:
– meat
– sea food
– eggs
– milk
– cheese
– cereals
– vegetables : spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, celery, asparagus, carrots, cabbage
– seeds
– fruits
Phosphorus
People with renal problems can’t eliminate phosphorus from their bodies. If the phosphorus level raises, these patients can lose the calcium from their bones. Their bones will become weaker and other diseases can appear too. You can find phosphorus in many products; here are some of those:
– dairy products like: cheese, yogurt
– beans
– peas
– nuts
– peanut butter
– beer
Salt
Before you buy a certain product it is recommended to read the label. You have to know if the product contains a lot of salt. You can find salt in many products but especially in: chips, instant soups, fast food, pickles, olives, sauerkraut, sausages, smoked foods.
A renal diet is very restrictive and a renal patient must eat as healthy as possible. A renal diet must contain:
– healthy fats: vegetable oils, soy, sunflower seeds, olive oil
– candied fruits
– syrups
– carbs: cereals, pasta, bread, potatoes and other vegetables that contain starch
– sweets
– honey
If the renal patient also suffers from diabetes or obesity, a nutritionist will create a special renal diet for him. If this diet is very restrictive, the patient can consume vitamin and mineral supplements, but only if the doctor approves them. These patients have to be aware of the fact that some vitamins can harm the kidneys…
A renal diet is recommended for chronic renal diseases because of its many health benefits. This kind of diet helps patients balance their toxin level. If this level is too high, many unpleasant symptoms can appear. Some of these symptoms include: nausea, vomit, weakness etc.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Mark Hyman – Dr. Mark Hyman is a leader in functional medicine, focusing on reversing chronic diseases through diet and lifestyle changes. He works with The UltraWellness Center
- Dr. Michael Greger – Dr. Michael Greger is a physician and author, best known for his work on plant-based nutrition and the book How Not to Die. He collaborates with NutritionFacts.org
- Dr. David Katz – Dr. David Katz is a preventive medicine specialist advocating for evidence-based approaches to healthy eating. He collaborates with th True Health Initiative
- Dr. Frank Lipman – Dr. Frank Lipman is an expert in integrative medicine, blending Western and Eastern practices to optimize health. He works with Eleven Eleven Wellness
- Dr. Marion Nestle – Dr. Marion Nestle is a nutrition expert and author, specializing in food politics and public health nutrition. She is a professor emeritus at New York University.
- Dr. Joel Fuhrman – Dr. Joel Fuhrman advocates for nutrient-dense diets and is the creator of the Nutritarian diet. He runs his own wellness programs.
- Dr. Terry Wahls – Dr. Terry Wahls is a physician and researcher known for her dietary protocol to manage autoimmune diseases. She works with the Wahls Protocol programs.